Cheenay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The family name Cheenay is believed to be descended originally from the Norman people. The Normans were commonly believed to be of French origin but were, more accurately, of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 AD, under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Later, under their Jarl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France about 911 AD. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy. Duke William, who invaded and defeated England in 1066, descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.

The family originated in "Quesnay (Chesnay), near Coutances, from which came De Chesneto or Kaineto in England." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)[2]CITATION[CLOSE]Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print

Early Origins of the Cheenay family

The surname Cheenay was first found in Buckinghamshire, where William de Chesney (died 1161), an Anglo-Norman magnate during the reign of King Stephen of England was one of the first listed. He held Oxford Castle during King Stephen's reign. Robert de Chesney (died 1166), brother of William de Chesney was a medieval English Bishop of Lincoln. He was an early patron of Thomas Becket, and present during the coronation of King Henry II of England in 1154. He also served King Henry as a royal justice.

William de Chesney (died 1174), another brother, was a medieval Anglo-Norman nobleman and Sheriff of Norfolk (c. 1146-1153), Suffolk (c. 1146-1153) and (1156-1163). He also founded Sibton Abbey.

Cheenay Spelling Variations

Early Notables of the Cheenay family (pre 1700)

Notable among the family at this time was Sir John Cheyne (Cheney) (died 1414), a Member of Parliament and briefly the initial Speaker of the House of Commons of England in the Parliament of October 1399, summoned by the newly-acclaimed Henry IV, married Margaret, daughter of William, Lord Deincourt and the widow of Robert, Lord Tiptoft which brought him wealth and status (1372), became an esquire in the king's household and was knighted in 1378, took part in a number of diplomatic missions and became MP for Gloucestershire in 1390, 1393, 1394 and 1399, last occasion he was elected Speaker, but... Another 204 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cheenay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cheenay family to Ireland

Some of the Cheenay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cheenay family to the New World and Oceana

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Cheney who settled in Newbury, Massachusetts in 1636; John Cheney settled in Watertown in 1636; Thomas Chainy arrived in Barbados in 1654; Robert Cheynay settled in Virginia in 1639.

The Cheenay Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.